Wellness Experts
Lichen Sclerosus: What’s Up With That Itch Down There?
I recently received a diagnosis for a problem I'd tried to silently manage for too long: vulvar itching. I put off going to the doctor until it was so...
Squid (Ink) Game
What is squid ink (as in “squid ink pasta”)? Is it good for you?
This black liquid pigment is produced by cephalopods, including squid, as a means of self-defense. It’s...
Is My Breakfast Cereal ‘Ultraprocessed’?
Are all breakfast cereals considered ultraprocessed foods—even the basic, non-fancy ones I buy like cornflakes, Special K, and Wheat Chex?
There are degrees of “processing,” and various definitions of what...
Freckles … in Your Eyes?
I noticed some small dark spots that look like freckles in the iris of my eye. Is this something to be concerned about?
These sound like harmless iris freckles, medically...
Remedies for an Aging Neck?
The older I get, the more noticeable these vertical bands on my aging neck become. What are they, and can I do anything to minimize their appearance?
As Nora Ephron...
Menopause Practitioners: Is It Time to See One?
I recently saw a reference to a “certified menopause practitioner.” I’ve never heard of that credential but am intrigued by the thought. Is it worth a visit to one...
Antiperspirants: Bad for Your Kidneys?
I noticed that my antiperspirant has a label that states “Ask a doctor before use if you have kidney disease.” Why is that, and should I be concerned that...
SPF on Sunscreen: Is Higher Always Better?
My drugstore’s shelves are lined with sunscreens of all different SPFs. Is higher SPF always better?
Once SPF (sun protection factor) is over 50, the increase in protection is negligible,...
Solutions for Older, Itchy Skin
Why has my skin become chronically itchy since menopause? What can I do about it?
Skin typically gets drier with age due to reduced production of sebum and other moisturizing...
Blotchy Brown Patches on Face?
I have blotchy brown patches on both cheeks and on my nose. What could they be?
It sounds like melasma, caused by overproduction of melanin (skin pigment). This hyperpigmentation typically...
